In 1999, Stephen Chbosky published his novel, THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER. It proved a cult classic among its target audience of young adults and has now been adapted for the screen by its author.

“We accept the love we think we deserve” is a running motif through THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER (M) whose central character, Charlie, is an introverted wallflower who falls in with an older crowd of students who are extrovert to the point of ostracism from the mainstream.

So an alchemy ferments between the shy and the flamboyant forging a friendship that transcends age and gender, whilst still being excruciatingly honest about the potholes of puberty – the gawkishness, the guilelessness, the gormlessness, the ganglyness, the gaucheness.

Sam and Patrick are stepsiblings, seniors who introduce Charlie to their friends, a group of creative free spirits that Sam refers to as inhabitants of the “island of misfit toys.” They decide to welcome him so that he doesn’t ever have to feel alone again. Sam has a reputation for being a bit wild and Patrick is gay, so they know what it feels like to be judged.

You cannot deny the inherent goodness of these two kids. They teach Charlie the ways of the world. They give him permission to explore life, to strip down to his underwear and stand in front of 300 people for THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW and to question the things he thinks he knows. They lead him to his first kiss, his first great drive, and to the music that will define his entire life.

Charlie is played by Logan Lerman, star of the Percy Jackson pictures, giving a splendidly coiled performance as the slightly damaged but compassionate youngster.

As Sam, Emma Watson shows there is certainly life after HARRY POTTER and rather more than her delightful supporting turn in MY WEEK WITH MARILYN.

Ezra Miller astounds as Patrick, solidifying and cementing his star power after his devastating portrayal of the older Kevin in WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN.

Nice support is given by Dylan McDermott as Charlie’s dad, Joan Cusak as his shrink, and Paul Rudd as his ever encouraging English teacher.

The book is continually proscribed in schools – the film should be prescribed!

© Richard Cotter

28th November, 2012

Tags: Sydney Movie Reviews- THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, Sydney Arts Guide, Richard Cotter